Session Information
Session Time: None. Available on demand.
Disclosures: Mary E. Dubon, MD: MedStrat (Products/Services: No) (Employment, Ownership Interest)
Background and/or Objectives: We evaluated the feasibility of implementing a virtual peer health coaching intervention which aimed to increase physical activity behaviors in adolescents with cerebral palsy and spina bifida.
Design: Pilot randomized-control trial of the peer health coaching intervention versus usual care, with follow-up throughout the 3-month intervention period and at 3 months post-intervention.
Setting: Recruitment was performed in pediatric cerebral palsy and spina bifida clinics. The intervention took place virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants: Participants were adolescents 12-17 years old with cerebral palsy (gross motor function classification system levels II or III) or spina bifida with motor impairment with intentions of physical activity engagement.
Interventions: Weekly 30-minute virtual sessions consisting of physical activity-focused coaching over 3 months.
Main Outcome Measures: Feasibility outcome measures evaluated recruitment (goal >10% recruitment rate), stratification (goal for well-balanced intervention/control groups with regard to age, gender, diagnosis), attrition (goal 80% completion of study), and engagement/intervention adherence (goal completion of at least 8 peer health coach sessions).
Results: A total of 68% (25/37) of eligible individuals were enrolled and randomized, including 19 individuals with cerebral palsy (9 control (5 female, 4 male), 10 intervention (5 female, 5 male)) and 6 individuals with spina bifida (2 control (1 female, 1 male), 4 intervention (2 female, 2 male)). The mean age of participants was 14 for both control (range 12-16) and intervention (range 12-17) groups. A total of 86% of participants (12/14) completed the intervention with 79% (11/14) completing at least 8 peer health coaching sessions, including 10/11 (91%) of individuals with cerebral palsy and 2/4 (50%) of individuals with spina bifida.
Conclusions: Amidst societal integration of virtual modes of interaction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this pilot study demonstrated excellent feasibility of implementing a virtual peer health coaching intervention to influence physical activity behaviors in adolescents with physical disabilities, particularly in those with cerebral palsy.
Level of Evidence: Level I
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Dubon ME, Pathangey S, Skeels S, Cormier B, Houlihan BV, Blauwet C. Enhancing Physical Activity Self-efficacy in Adolescents with Physical Disability Through Virtual Peer Health Coaching: Feasibility Results [abstract]. PM R. 2022; 14(S1)(suppl 1). https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/enhancing-physical-activity-self-efficacy-in-adolescents-with-physical-disability-through-virtual-peer-health-coaching-feasibility-results/. Accessed September 7, 2024.« Back to AAPM&R Annual Assembly 2022
PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/enhancing-physical-activity-self-efficacy-in-adolescents-with-physical-disability-through-virtual-peer-health-coaching-feasibility-results/